Sanitation Technician

Seneca Foods is one of North America's leading providers of packaged fruits and vegetables with facilities located throughout the United States.  Our high quality products are primarily sourced from over 1,400 American farms. Seneca holds the largest share of the retail private label, food service, and export canned vegetable markets, distributing to over 90 countries. Products are also sold under the brands of Libby’s®, Aunt Nellie’s®, READ®, Seneca Farms®, Green Valley®, Green Giant (Shelf-Stable)®, CherryMan®, Paradise®, Pennant®, and Seneca labels, including Seneca snack chips. Seneca also provides vegetable products to other companies under various co-pack arrangements.

Seneca Foods offers an excellent benefit package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life insurance, 401K, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Paid Time Off and more!  Help us make our Farm Fresh Goodness Great!  Come join the Seneca Foods team – Apply now!

This position encompasses sanitation duties across various areas including vegetable processing equipment, warehousing, and the equipment environment, ensuring cleanliness and adherence to hygiene standards throughout the facility.

PRIMARY JOB SCOPE (SANITATION):

The role entails active participation in the sanitation cleaning crew at B&G Foods North America, Inc. Responsibilities include thorough cleaning and sanitization of processing equipment, warehouse areas, and equipment environments to uphold stringent Quality Control and Bacterial Standards. Flexibility and adaptability are essential qualities as the role may involve varied tasks across different areas, all while prioritizing safety guidelines mandated by the employer. Working cohesively under pressure and demonstrating a proactive approach to task execution are fundamental aspects of this vital role within the sanitation framework.

Work as part of the sanitation cleaning crew whose duties are to clean and sanitize processing equipment and processing areas of the plant, to meet Quality Control and Bacterial Standards delineated within B&G – Yuma’s Safety and Quality Management system. Members of the Sanitation crew are required to completely clean and sanitize the plant quickly and efficiently during relatively short time periods between the plant's normal production shifts, which typically requires that the sanitation worker work during late evenings/night/early morning shifts (specific work shift to be determined by the supervisor), and some overtime (weekends, days, evenings). The sanitation worker will also be working around large processing equipment in which chemicals will be used to complete the sanitation process. The sanitation worker must be able to work as a team along with other members of the crew, under stressful conditions, and be flexible and willing to perform varying tasks per the Sanitation Lead’s instructions and in accordance with all safety guidelines mandated by the employer.

Moreover, the sanitation aspect involves handling chemicals for effective sanitation procedures, requiring strict adherence to safety protocols and close collaboration within the team. It is imperative for sanitation workers to follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and Standard Sanitation Operating Procedures (SSOPs) to ensure compliance with industry regulations and maintain product quality standards.

Essential Duties:

• Maintain a clean work area, ensuring it is devoid of safety hazards.
• Collecting raw materials and finished products from the floor as necessary.
• Properly dispose of raw materials as required.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills and collaborate proficiently with colleagues.
• Execute repetitive tasks meticulously, paying careful attention to detail.
• Work adeptly in wet environments for extended durations.
• Execute all assigned duties diligently and within designated timeframes.
• Collaborate closely with supervisors and managers to ensure adherence to Company policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Comply rigorously with directives from management.
• Undertake any additional tasks as delegated.
• Adhere strictly to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and safety protocols.
• Utilize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling chemicals and utilizing compressed air, where applicable.
• Employ Good Sanitation Practices (GSPs) when working with or around equipment.
• Effectively sanitize equipment and areas in accordance with established Standard Sanitation Operating Procedures (SSOPs).
• Verify the appropriate concentration of chemicals by analyzing cleaner strengths and sanitizers during the sanitation process, ensuring safety and efficacy.
• Promptly report damaged, worn, or in-need-of-replacement equipment to a Supervisor or Team Leader.
• Strictly adhere to all company SSOPs for cleaning and sanitizing processing equipment and facilities.
• Prevent cross-contamination of products, work-in-progress, food contact surfaces, and packaging during sanitation procedures.
• Abide by Food Safety and Quality (FSQ) requirements, including GMPs and other job-specific duties, to support Quality and Regulatory Management Programs (QRMP).
• Thoroughly complete all sanitation and required Safe Quality Food (SQF) documentation.
• Maintain all sanitation-related equipment, including but not limited to foamers, pressure washers, cleaning equipment, and tools, in optimal condition.

Skills and Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Read and follow detailed chemical label instructions for sanitation programs and SOP’s
• Have good communication skills (listening, speaking, writing)
• Use sound judgment and decision making 
• Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning while performing tasks
• Service Oriented — Managing work time to effectively accomplish tasks and maintain pace with workflow and deadlines 
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with coworkers
• Ability to work independently and efficiently when needed as part of the team

Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

• Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as standing/walking, crouching, stooping, twisting, balancing, leg/foot use, reaching, overhead extension, handling, pushing/pulling, climbing.   lifting and handling of materials and packed boxes. 
• Job requires working indoors in a fast-paced setting. 
• Working in constant cold temperature +- 34°F 
• The environment has constant noise, forklift and electric pallet jack activity, wet/damp floors, and moving belts.
• Attention to keeping foreign objects off belts is required safety factors. 

• Lift up to 50 lbs. throughout the day
• Pushing and pulling pallet jacks.
• Willing and able to work long hours and be available nights and/or weekends as required by the business needs. 

When working in sanitation,

• Work environment is wet
• Working exposed to cleaning chemicals 
• Willing and able to work long hours and be available nights and/or weekends as required by the business needs. 

Seneca Foods Corporation is committed to providing equal opportunity for all, through a positive and continuing affirmative action program. No employee or applicant will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, military and/or veteran status or any other Federal or State legally protected classes. Seneca Foods Corporation will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you are interested in applying for an employment opportunity and feel you need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact us at ADA@senecafoods.com or call 585-495-4100.